I was thinking of starting this game over. I can't seem to find a mage anywhere and after going through the Gnoll Stronghold (by the way I guess since I lost Minsc in the mines, Dynaheir wasn't there) no other areas or woods have opened up. I really hate to start over since all of my party members have leveled up a few times (all except my character who only leveled up once), but I don't know where to go next. Do you have to complete all the areas, I couldn't get past some dead thing in Ulcaster and I just started the Tower one?

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Fil

There is a fine line between genius and insanity. I have erased this line. Oscar Levant

As Rowan pointed out Dynaheir is in one of the pits. You have to find the staircases leading down into the pit - and walk as far into the pit as you can, because Dynaheir is not immediately visible. She will join you even if Minsc is dead.

There is another mage that you can pick up quickly - and he is arguably the best one in the game, even if he is evil-aligned. In Nashkel, near a bridge at the south end of the city, is a man in a red robe. He may still be willing to join your party. As long as you keep your reputation at under 18 he will stay with you. He hates Dynaheir, though, so watch out if you try to have them both in your party.

Rowan and hagatha, my profound thanks. I went back to that stronghold for the 3rd time and finally found her. I can't believe I missed her twice!! Rowan, I've been using your method of attacking and found it to be just the thing. I was always clicking away like crazy and kept getting killed. I'm going to continue now that I've gotten a mage and I'm sorry that this game is so big because I've made a lot of mistakes so far and maybe one day (if I finish it for the first time) I'll go back and see if I can do it right.

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Fil

There is a fine line between genius and insanity. I have erased this line. Oscar Levant

I should have realized the fighting technique because I just finished playing Planescape Torment by Black Isles and it's basically the same. I just figured out how to memorize spells too after I've been playing this game for a week, , but then again I never figured out how to cast spells in PT. Thanks for all the help. I'm sure that I'm not finished asking questions yet.

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Fil

There is a fine line between genius and insanity. I have erased this line. Oscar Levant

I knew I'd be back asking questions. Do you have to go to every area on the map? I'm getting my head handed to me in the tunnels under Gullykin because the area is so small, I keep running into the other members of the party. I tried to skip this part but I can't seem to access Cloakwood Forest. I'm going to try going back to the Friendly Arms Inn or some other area and see if I can get it to light up then.

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Fil

There is a fine line between genius and insanity. I have erased this line. Oscar Levant

Well, you don't have to go to every area of the world, but some places (such as Cloakwood) is crucial. You have to go there from an adjacent area though; you can't go straight from Cloakwood from e.g. Firewine Ruins (unless you have been there before).

About Gullykin, you don't have to, as it's only a side quest, but it gives you rewards, as well as valuable XP points. Same as every side quest.

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Are they dead? Yes. Unlike you they have but one life...and they wasted it for your sake!

Thanks Drizzt, I might have to skip some side quests. I'm playing the game on "easy" so I'm not getting as many experience points. By the way, did you get your name from this game? I'm using his sword right now.

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Fil

There is a fine line between genius and insanity. I have erased this line. Oscar Levant

I'm back with another question. How do I get Imoen to disarm traps? I let her take the lead and she can find them but I have no button that lets her disarm them. Does she just have to trigger the trap or go past it to disarm? On her character page there is no disarm ability, just pickpocketing, stealth and backstabbing (which I don't know how to do either). Thanks.

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Fil

There is a fine line between genius and insanity. I have erased this line. Oscar Levant

It's the same button on the bottom of your interface as the one to pick locks, it has the symbol of a mask on it. Click that and then mouse over the red trap area, you will see a beartrap kind of symbol indicating you can disarm the trap.

Thanks Schwab, I'm finding this game hard going because of all the spellcasters you meet along the way. Guess I too used to just wading in with my sword. Now I have to replay many a battle and use some strategy (forward planning is not my forte ), and it's so hard to level up and you don't seem to get any stat points at all. I'm really going to try to finish, but I've left a lot of side quests out so that I can.

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Fil

There is a fine line between genius and insanity. I have erased this line. Oscar Levant

Once you get use to the game and the way things work you'll think it's just ordinary playingI don't think starting over is a bad thing. You learn, or at least I do; by the mistakes that are made. I think you're more able to make good decisions based on your past experience. Save where and what you are on one save and begin again. Start another character if you so chose. A good party of 6 for me are a thief and ranger, melee; wizard, clerec and whoever I chose to be; a fighter or perhaps a mage..it's fun to try the different characters.If you like combat, then try a paladin. Iomen is a good thief and give her a weapon she'll fight..bow or dagger...now choose the other's as you like the skills they bring..some come together as a set.You'll be able to do this, and I think you'll really enjoy the game once the tension and stressleave you.

You know Ingie, I'm just so far into the game that I hate to start over. I'm across the bridge in Baldur's Gate. I realize that the experience points I get are lower because I'm playing on the easiest level, but I've never played an RPG that didn't give you stat points when you level up. When I think of the battles that I've had to fight over and over again I just can't face having to do them all over again. (Just think of how hard they'd be if I played on a harder level) Maybe one day if I ever finish I'll start over , but then again I have two expansions left to play.

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Fil

There is a fine line between genius and insanity. I have erased this line. Oscar Levant